Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 2019 February; 13(2): pages 46-54 DOI: 10.22587/ajbas.2019.13.2.6 Original paper AENSI Publications Journal home page: www.ajbasweb.com Metric and Non metric characteristics of human forefoot: A radiological study in Egyptian population Samah Mohammed, Mahmoud Abozaid and Fatma Elzahraa, Fouad Abd Elbaky Department of Anatomy, Faculty of medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt. Correspondence Author: Samah Mohammed, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt. Received date: 1 January 2019, Accepted date: 15 January 2018, Online date: 28 February 2019 Copyright: © 2019 Samah Mohammed et al, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract Human forefoot is composed of metatarsal bones and phalanges. Their morphology and dimensions are important for proper bipedal locomotor function. Structural defects affecting forefoot bones result in foot dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to describe the morphology of the bones of forefoot and to measure their lengths and widths. A digital radiographic study was conducted on right and left feet of 100 healthy individuals (50 males and 50 females) above 21 years old. Inspection of the forefoot bones using radiographs was done to describe general shapes of bones. The lengths and widths of metatarsal bone and phalanges were measured using Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format. Mean and standard deviations were obtained for all measurements of each side of both sexes. Morphological dissimilarities were reported for middle phalanx. Overall, there was a moderate to strong correlation between metatarsals regarding lengths and widths. Most of forefoot bones were longer and wider in males than females. This research highlighted the value of metric measurements of forefoot bones for surgical procedures or sex recognition. Key words: forefoot, metric, radiology, Egyptian population. INTRODUCTION Human foot is a highly modified distal portion of lower limb. It is responsible for stepping, walking and running (Mann, 1999) and weight bearing (Viladot, 1973). The human foot is comprised of bone, joints, muscles and fascia. The integrity of these structures keep it perform its function properly (Mann, 1999). The foot is divided anatomically from anterior to posterior into three parts; the forefoot, the midfoot and the hindfoot. The forefoot part is composed of five proximal bones called metatarsals and more distal bones called phalanges (Nawoczenski et al., 1998). The metatarsals bear weight through its heads. The first metatarsal bears double the weight of each of the other four metatarsals. The weight is distributed in the ratio of 2:1:1:1:1 (Viladot, 1973). Any deviation from this normal ratio impairs foot function (Nawoczenski et al., 1998). The morphological appearance of phalanges adapts the foot for bipedal locomotor function (Rolian et al., 2009). Characteristically the phalanges have a variable morphological appearance (Keat and Anderson, 2013). Structural defects of the foot may be isolated defects as congenital Talipes Equinovarus (Al Abdulwahab and Kachanathu, 2015), part of a complex syndrome (Mann, 1999) or trauma (Nawoczenski et al., 1998). The coexistence of both metatarsal and metacarpal defects in same subject may raise the possibility of having syndrome (Green et al., 1989). Industrial trauma to the metatarsals is very common to the first and second metatarsal bones (Lamm, 2006). Disturbance in the relative lengths and widths of the bony components of the forefoot may lead to pain in the feet, gait disturbances and locomotor dysfunction (Murphy, 2013) secondary to corns, calluses and arthritis formation that impair foot function (Mann, 1999). Restoring the proper lengths and widths of the metatarsals and phalanges is important for optimal surgical outcome (Lamm, 2006). In surgery metatarsal lengthening or shortening is aiming to achieve a length that function in a proper manner (Lamm et al., 2009). Knowing the lengths or widths of the metatarsals and phalanges and their correlation among themselves may be of value for sex determination, surgical procedures such as lengthening or shortening of the metatarsal and phalanx bone or describing the affected bone length or width in congenital skeletal abnormalities (Dogan et al., 2007). The aim of the present study was to describe the shape of the bone forming forefoot and to measure the lengths and widths of both metatarsals and phalanges of the forefeet on standardized radiographs and to determine the possible correlation between the forefoot bones amongst themselves and their value for surgical implication or sex determination. METHODS Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences ISSN: 1991-8178, EISSN: 2309-8414 47 Citation: Samah Mohammed, et al., Metric and Non metric characteristics of human forefoot: A radiological study in Egyptian population. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 13(2): 46-54. DOI: 10.22587/ajbas.2019.13.2.6 This digital radiographic study was conducted on both right and left feet of 100 healthy individuals (50 males and 50 females) above 21 years old (To ensure complete bone ossification). AP radiographs of both feet were done at the same time. A consent form was obtained from each participant before this procedure. Exclusion criteria include subjects less 21 years old, history of feet problems such as trauma or surgical operations in lower limb. The radiograph was taken while the patient in supine position with flexed knee. The planter surface of foot was placed in a flat firm manner on the cassette. Lead shield was put over pelvic region. The collimation was done to outer margins of foot on four sides. The central ray was angled 10 degree posteriorly towards the calcaneus and centered on and perpendicular to the base of 3rd metatarsal, the FFD = 100 cm. the technical factors were 70 KV and 2 mAs. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format was used as a tool for measuring lengths and widths of forefoot bones. Radiographs were viewed using RadiAntDicom viewing software (32 bit) with magnification and measuring tools (ver. 1.0.4.4439, Copyright 2009-2012 Medixant) (fig. 1). For length determination a midpoint of base and a midpoint of head of metatarsal bone and phalanges were localized and the length of the line between these two points was measured. For width determination a midpoint (the length of corresponding bone divided by two) were localized on both medial and lateral sides of bone and the length of the line between these two points was measured and recorded. Inspection of the forefoot bones using radiographs was done to describe general shapes and borders of the bones and its similarity or variation among themselves Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 20. One sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to detect the distribution of data and according to the result of this test, the suitable test was chosen. Descriptive statistical measures, including measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (SD), were used to describe the data. Mean and standard deviations of each variable were calculated for both sides of both sexes. Student-t test was done to establish the presence or absence of significant sexual differences by side. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant .The association between metatarsal lengths and widths was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Fig.1: showing the measuring tool for forefoot bones using Radiant DICOM viewer for length (A) and width (B). RESULTS A digital radiographic examination of individuals aged between 27 and 41 years was done in the present study. Morphological (Non- metric) analysis Metatarsals (Mt): They showed concave medial and lateral margins. There was no morphological variation concerning metatarsals margins among themselves. The length of the bone was much greater than its width (elongated type) 48 Citation: Samah Mohammed, et al., Metric and Non metric characteristics of human forefoot: A radiological study in Egyptian population. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 13(2): 46-54. DOI: 10.22587/ajbas.2019.13.2.6 Proximal phalanges (PP): They showed concave medial and lateral margins. There was no morphological variation concerning PP margins among themselves. The length of the bone was greater than its width (elongated type). Middle phalanges (MP): The medial and lateral margins of this bone may be concave or flattened. The length of the bone may be greater than its width, equal or even less. Variable appearance of MP leads to description of middle phalanx as elongated type (L variety) if anteroposterior distance is greater than transverse one or shortened type (S variety) if anteroposterior distance is equal or less than transverse distance. In the present study the 5th toe never had elongated type. Also absence of middle phalanges was reported for 4th and 5th toes. Pattern of variable appearance of MP: (Fig.2-5) In the present study MP may show: Elongated MP from 2nd digit to 4th one with shortened type in 5th digit (3L 1S) (Fig.2A) Elongated MP in 2nd digit and 3th one with shortened type in 4th and 5th digits (2L 2S) (Fig.2B) Elongated MP in 2nd digit only and shortened type from 3rd to 5th digits (1L 3S) (Fig.3A) Shortened MP from 2nd digit to 5th digit (0L 4S) (Fig.3B) No MP in 5th digit. (Fig.4A) No MP in 4th digit and 5th digit. (Fig.4B) The MP of 5th toe may appear round because of having biconvex lateral margins (R variety). (Fig.5) Distal phalanges (DP): They showed deeply curved medial and lateral margins. They have wide base and tapered distal end. There was no morphological variation concerning DP margins among themselves. The length of the bone was greater than its width (elongated type). Fig.